Five Fijian athletes are attending their first ever Pacific Youth Leaders (PYL) Basketball Camp in Southport, Australia, which is from September 2-11.

The camp targeted at emerging Pacific islanders between the ages of 17 to 20 years old and is organised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). This provides an opportunity to learn from seasoned Australian basketball athletes and compete against some of the best young players in the region. Our Fijian athletes will also work on advanced individual skills, position-based and team orientated skills.

Representing Basketball Fiji are Collin Lal, Josua Vugona, Tiyana Kainamoli, Vilisi Tavui and Esala Banuve who is the national Under-18 women’s basketball coach. Participants from eight countries in the region will be exposed to elite basketball activities through a rigorous training programme conceived and delivered by former Women’s National Basketball Association and Australian Opals coach, Carrie Graf and three-time Olympian and former Australian Boomers coach, Phil Smyth.

Basketball Fiji chief operations officer Laisiasa Puamau said the emerging Fijian athletes attending the camp hold leadership positions within the U18 teams.

This training will build the capacity of our national basketball athletes who will in turn lead training in the country upon their return.

Source: The Fiji Sun Newspaper

Friday 2nd Spetember 2016